Chapter 3

Isabella, Boston, November 1768

I hurried through the town square, huddling further into my scarf and looking around me worriedly for any hint of red. Ever since the Redcoats came to Boston, no one could walk around as freely as they once could anymore, especially the women. The Redcoats were boorish and rude, and it was laughable since the royal proclamation that stationed them here stated that it was for our protection. They didn't hesitate to whistle at or even more enraging, grab, a poor woman who was just walking by. I've heard horrible stories from Alice and Rose of women who the Redcoats have thrown against the wall with no warning and searched for smuggled items, under their petticoats even! The very thought made me want to vomit.

As I walked across the square, making sure not to draw any attention to myself, my thoughts wandered, as they often did these days, to Edward. Thankfully, he was almost better now. I wasn't so sure of it for the first week. His wound had become infected and he burned with fever like nothing I'd ever seen, his usually sharp green eyes becoming hazy in delirious sickness. I'd stayed with him night after night, mopping his steaming brow with a cool cloth and smothering him with blankets when his teeth chattered with cold like a little wind-up toy's. And then finally, finally, his fever gradually subsided and he had enough strength to converse with me. Those were my favorite times with him. I was used to others seeing me as an ignorant little girl, but he talked to me as an equal, and gradually I came to learn about the affairs of the colonies and the rumblings of discontent that were occurring in town. I had been worried about the possibility of a war between us and England.

"Do you think that there will be a war?" I'd asked him one night, cupping a mug of hot apple cider in my hands. He wasn't looking at me and his eyes were far away when he answered.

"Perhaps. No one can tell at this moment," he'd answered. I was silent for a while, contemplating this possibility of war between the two lands. From what I've heard of England and her navy, it was predictable who would win.

"You told me that England has... a powerful military. Would we be able to overcome them?" I asked him.

He looked at me, his green eyes serious, "You must understand, Isabella; England may have strength of numbers and power in arms, but we have the power of our cause. We must believe in ourselves and in our country. I suggest you do the same."

I ducked my head, ashamed of my lack of faith. But one more question was tugging on my heart, and I had to ask.

"If- if there is a war," I said, faltering, "will you fight?"

His eyes were softer now as he regarded me, "We've been abused for far too long. We must stand up for our God-given rights, Isabella. I would be remiss if I didn't as well"

I took a deep ragged breath. I didn't want to think about him going off to war. I'd poured my heart into bringing him back to life and I just didn't want to think about him being harmed ever again. Suddenly, I raised my chin and looked at him defiantly.

"Then I'll fight, too," I said, "I'll be right there next to you."

"No! Absolutely not!" he said sharply, making me jump with his outburst, and then, apologetic, he lowered his voice, "No, Isabella. Your place is here."

"What, you don't think I can fight?" I challenged him.

Edward laughed and the sound melted my heart, "Isabella, you can barely walk without tripping over yourself. Besides, if you come with me, I'll be concentrating more on keeping you out of danger than truly fighting."

"I- I just don't want you to leave," I confessed, looking down at my now empty cup. There was a silence and then, Edward raised my chin up, his green eyes looking straight through mine.

"No matter what," he said, his voice low and earnest, "you must believe that I will always come back for you Isabella."

"Do you promise?" I asked him.

He smiled at me, a smile that tugged at my heartstrings like an expert violinist at his instrument and said, "I promise."

Warmth ran through me and heated my cheeks as I remembered that moment. My brain whirled with confusion as I contemplated the feelings that Edward instigated in me. He made me feel safe and vulnerable, confident and unsure, joyful and melancholy; I felt like I knew everything and nothing about him, all at the same time. I had no idea who his family was and I had no idea where he came from. He could have sprung out of bare rock for all I knew. And when I asked him, he was decidedly vague, as if he had some secret within him that he was hiding from all the rest of the world.

All I knew for sure was that I'd become very close to him. Our relationship sometimes frightened me in its intensity. My daily schedule had become something like wake up, go visit Edward, bring him breakfast, do my morning chores, visit more with Edward, help Charlie with the inn, visit Edward, lunch, visit Edward, help more with the inn, evening chores, supper, visit Edward, prepare for bed. Of course, I'd always waited for times when the stable was empty and I always made sure to either pull the ladder up or restore it to its hiding place. I felt bad for keeping this secret from Jacob; I usually never kept secrets from him, but something within kept me from telling him. Besides, I'd never had a secret all to myself before and it felt good to have something all to myself for a change.

I passed by the general store, snow crunching under my boots, and stopped, looking through the windows at the variety of items displayed there. It was nearing the holiday season and I was wondering what to get Edward for Christmas. Perhaps some cloth for a new coat and shirt...? His old ones did have a hole in it. Or perhaps a shaving razor, so I wouldn't have to sneak him Charlie's every morning? Or maybe, since it was getting cold, some more blankets?

As I stood there contemplating, I was rudely pushed aside and I saw to my horror a Redcoat leering at me. He had a parchment in his hand, something that looked like a proclamation, and he seemed to be in the process of tacking it up. I stumbled back and covered my face with the hood of my coat and my scarf, scurrying to duck behind a narrow alley, hoping that the Redcoat would just walk away and leave me alone. Thankfully, he did just that and I emerged from the alleyway. I walked up to the storefront to see what he had put up. It was a warrant of arrest for a highwayman and my eyes travelled down to look at the picture there. I peered at it, eyes narrowed, strangely drawn to the illustration. There was something there... something familiar...

And then it dawned on me with terrible clarity. I knew those eyes. Those were Edward's eyes. And sure enough the text below read...

George the Third, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. to The Sheriff of Boston County, (MA), Greeting… We command you that you take one Edward Cullen, Highwayman, if he be found within your bailiwick, whether dead or alive, to answer his Royal Majesty of a plea of Grand Theft equaling near 5000 Pounds. 100 Pounds is offered for his person…

Gasping in horror, I read no further for by now, I'd ripped the paper off of the storefront window and was now hurrying toward home, all the rest of my errands forgotten. I was ready to cry in shock and humiliation. I couldn't believe it! How could I have been so blind? Of course there must have been a reason why I knew almost nothing about him, about why he seemed so reluctant to part with anything regarding his past. And then I remembered when he'd first pulled me down off of the road and I only berated myself further for not taking note of his situation. Why was he shot? And if he was dressed so elegantly, he must have been rich, and if so, where was his entourage? All rich men had entourages. And all those weapons... It should have been clear to me that he must have received his income through foul means, but no. Stupidly, I blinded myself to all that and let him into my home. God! Everything I'd told him had been the truth and for all I know, everything he told me might as well have been a lie. I'd not only let him into my home. Even worse, I'd let him into my heart.

I stumbled into the stable, tossing my basket onto the ground, thankful that Jacob wasn't present at the moment.

"EDWARD!" I screamed, my fury at boiling point now. My voice echoed around the walls of the stable but there was no reply. What, I thought bitterly, was he afraid to face me? Did he even have that much shame?

I dug the ladder out of its hiding place and slammed it against the loft. Wooden splinters and stray pieces of straw rained down on me, but I was past caring at this point. I climbed up the ladder, the warrant still clutched and crumbled in my tight-fisted hand. But when I reached the top, I found the loft empty. I stopped there in shock and looked around, as if expecting him to pop out from underneath the blankets, but there was no indication of his presence there. I scrambled up onto the ledge and dug through the blankets and the straw, as if he were buried there, but my fingernails scraped at the rough floorboards. Nothing. My heart pumped faster, panicked now.

"Edward!" I called, "Where are you? This isn't funny."

My brain raced through all the scenarios of what might have happened. He couldn't have been found already, could he? Despite the "dead or alive" clause of the warrant, I knew that if any Redcoats caught ahold of him, he'd be hanged without trial. They couldn't have found him that fast, could they? No one knew that he was here except me. What if Charlie had found him? And had known right away who he was? Or perhaps it was Jacob? Was that why Jacob wasn't here at the moment? Was he turning Edward in to the Redcoats? I was almost sick with worry as I slumped against the window, eyes squeezed shut and arms wrapped around my knees. I'd completely forgotten to pull the ladder up.

Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded in front of me.

"Isabella? Why did you leave your basket right in the doorway? What's wrong?"

My eyes popped open to see Edward looking at me, worried, as he swung his lithe body over onto the ledge and pulled the ladder up after him. I gasped and stumbled over to him, grabbing onto his shirt lapels as if they were a life raft and I was drowning in the middle of the ocean.

"Where in the world were you? I thought you were... were..." I was so relieved, I couldn't even finish my thought. Edward gripped my arms as I unsteadily swayed a little.

"Easy there, Isabella. You look like you're going to faint dead away. The stableboy went with your father to a horse auction so I just went out to retrieve my weapons. See?" And he showed me all the weapons I'd removed from him the night I'd brought him here. The sight of them brought back the reminder of exactly why I had been searching for him in the first place and my anger washed over my relief, clearing up my head and my thoughts. I pulled away from him and glared.

"Isabella?" he asked, uncertainty in his eyes at my change in expression.

"You deceived me," I said to him, my voice steely and cold.

"What are you talking about?" Edward asked me, his green eyes wide. I gaped at him. I couldn't believe him! He still dares to lie right to my face, as if he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about? My mouth closed with a snap and I threw the crumpled up warrant at his all-too-perfect face. Unfortunately, his hand flew up and caught it before it could hit its target.

"Then explain to me what this is," I said. He looked at it and seemed to sigh. And when he looked at me, his eyes were regretful. I felt as if a hole had been punctured in me and I was rapidly deflating. I was still holding out hope inside that this was all just some horrible mistake, but the look on his face told me otherwise.

"Isabella..." he started.

"Oh God," I moaned, "so it's true. How could you do this to me, Edward? How could you... could you... lie to me like this, and right to my face?"

"I never lied to you, Isabella," he said stubbornly, his jaw set.

"How can you even say that? Of course you did...!" I shouted at him.

He interrupted me, "I never told you that I wasn't a highwayman."

"No, Edward," I agreed, "You never told me anything. You led me to believe that you were a decent, law-abiding man who'd only run into a bit of trouble and needed some help. But I told you everything! EVERYTHING! How could you go behind my back like this?"

"Do you want to know why I never told you everything about myself, Isabella? I told you to protect you. If you really knew who I was, could you keep a calm face when a Redcoat stops you and questions you about me? Could you really pretend that you've never met me in your life? I was only trying to do the right thing, which is saving you from pain and torture, Isabella, when they discover that not only do you know exactly who I am but also that you've been harboring me for the past month," he shot back, his green eyes flashing. I was not comforted by this as the idea of Edward as a highwayman still reverberated in my skull, making my head ache.

"Tell me, Edward. How many girls like me have you lied to? How many people have you stolen from? Oh God, how many people have you killed, Edward?"

Edward rolled his eyes, "Really, Isabella. Don't be so naive."

"Don't be so..." I started in incredulity, "You broke the law, Edward. Not once, not even twice, but... God! I don't even know how many times!"

"God damn it, Isabella!" Edward roared, "Can't you understand? Maybe this is a hard concept for you to grasp considering the sheltered way that you've been raised, with always something to eat and never without a warm bed to curl up in but sometimes you have to break the rules! However earnestly you may want to believe it, the world is not all rainbows and butterflies! All those people I've stolen from... do you think they deserved their wealth?"

I looked away from him in fury. I didn't want to hear it, but he grabbed my face and forced me to look at him, at his piercing eyes. He was hurting me, my face smooshed between his strong fingers, but my pride wasn't about to let him know it.

"Look at me, Isabella! Do you think they deserved all they had? They stole their wealth from people who actually needed it. I'm no more of a thief than they are, except I don't hoard my riches and I never use it for anything except what I need to survive," he said. He finally let go of me and I collapsed on top of the straw, surprised by the sudden release. There was silence for a moment, as my anger simmered away.

"And for your information," he said quietly, "I have never killed anyone in my life. I only threaten, but that's enough for those cowards."

I kneeled there, my anger having drifted away into confusion which drifted away into emotional exhaustion. My brain was racing when all I wanted to do was lay down then and there and just... forget. The stables seemed to be ringing with the heat of our argument.

"What were you thinking, Edward?" I finally said.

"What?" he said softly.

"Leaving here! I was worried sick! I had no idea what had happened to you! For all I knew, the Redcoats could have captured you already and I could have found you swinging from some tree branch all covered in tar and feathers by now. Or you could have been shot and hurt in some ditch somewhere..." I was babbling now and I was embarrassingly aware of the tears that now ran freely down my face.

"Isabella..." Edward said, his thumbs trying to wipe away the salty streams of teardrops that ran from the corner of my eyes and dripped off my chin. And then to my surprise, he brought my face to his and started kissing them away, putting his lips to each individual teardrop that ran down my cheeks. I looked at him in shock and he was smiling at me, his smile more brilliant than the sun, as he kissed his way up my cheeks and then kissed each of my eyelids. He kissed the tip of my nose and a strange feeling ripped through me, so that my lips parted a little and I gasped. Then, ever so slowly, his lips descended on mine and he truly kissed me.

I've seen lovers stealing a kiss here and there in the town square before, and I had always thought it a sweet scene, but I'd never thought it would be quite like this. Edward's warm lips on mine sent a jolt of feeling through my body and my lips perfectly formed around his, as if they were made from the other half of the same mold. I tasted the saltiness of my tears upon his lips, but most of all, I tasted him. He was addicting. His hands drifted from my arms to my waist and I shuddered as his touch sent a flare of fire through me. The feelings seemed so frightfully forbidden that I lost my breath and pulled back, gasping for air. Edward still had my hand and he knelt in front of me, so he was looking up towards my face

"You mustn't ever worry about me, Isabella. I promised that I will always come back to you and you know that there's nothing I hold more dear than a promise," he said, and then paused, smiled and said, "Well, maybe there is one thing."

My eyes flashed up to his jubilant face, "And what is that?"

He kissed me chastely on the cheek and then whispered in my ear, "Can you not guess, Isabella?"

I stared at him, eyes wide. My God! Finally, I regained use of my senses and I resolutely wiped my tears on my sleeve and got to my feet.

Edward looked at me, his brow furrowed, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going down," I stated dully, "I need to think. And I just can't do that with you around." He didn't say anything and when I reached the floor, I methodically put the ladder back in its hiding place and walked towards the door.

Suddenly, I heard an "Isabella!" sound above me and I froze. I slowly turned around to see Edward's bronze topped head looking at me from the loft.

"Don't forget your basket," he said simply and tossed it to me. It landed at my feet. I picked it up without a word and walked out of the stables, closing the door behind me.

For the rest of the day, I went through my chores without a word, dazed with the billions of thoughts running through my mind. Edward is a highwayman. And he'd kissed me. And... there was no denying it anymore... I'd kissed him back. Edward is a highwayman. And he'd kissed me. And... there was no denying it anymore... I'd kissed him back. Edward is a highwayman. And he'd kissed me. And... there was no denying it anymore... I'd kissed him back. What did this mean? What was I supposed to do?

When Charlie came back with Jacob, he took one look at me and took me aside, a worried expression on his face, "What's wrong, Isabella? Did one of those Redcoats mess with you today in the town square?"

From behind him, I heard Jacob say, "If they did, I swear I won't hesitate to fight them." I shook my head fervently.

"No," I said, "No one messed with me. I just... I just had a bad day is all. And I- I don't feel quite well either. May I retire early tonight please?"

Charlie let me go and I walked up to my room. I carefully peeled off my clothes and pulled out the ribbon that held up my hair, letting the dark brown locks tumble down my back. I washed my face in the cold water and pulled on my nightgown and climbed into bed, curling up into a ball and staring at the light the moon shined through my window. Edward is a highwayman. And he'd kissed me. And... there was no denying it anymore... I'd kissed him back. Edward is a highwayman. And he'd kissed me. And... there was no denying it anymore... I'd kissed him back. Edward is a highwayman. And he'd kissed me. And... there was no denying it anymore... I'd kissed him back.

One hour passed and then two and then three, but I was still wide awake. I grew aware of how cold it was getting and I wrapped my blankets tighter around myself. My thoughts turned inevitably towards Edward. He must be cold too, especially in that stable. Did he have enough blankets? I didn't think he did. At least not for this weather. I sighed and sat up, looking around my room. I couldn't believe I was doing this.

I got up and wrapped a robe and a shawl around myself. I pushed my feet into my slippers and crept over to my door, opening it just a crack. Charlie's snores sounded distinctly down the corridor and, satisfied that he was completely unaware to the world around him, I crept down the hall to the linens closet, opening the door and pulling out two thick comforters. I tiptoed down the stairs, cringing as my foot touched on the squeaky step, but no one came running so I continued on, grabbed a candle, and opened the door. The blast of cold air and snow made the light flicker and almost made it go out, but I shielded it with my hand and walked out into the night.

The cold air swirled under my nightgown, prickling my skin like a thousand tiny needles, making my feet hurry towards my destination. I reached the stable door and opened it with difficulty, finally slamming the door against the snow and leaning against it for good measure. I looked around the dark stable, relieved to find that Jacob was in bed as well. I didn't know how I would explain my sudden apparition in only my nightgown, robe, and shawl, and carrying two comforters to boot. I set my load down by the wall and got out the ladder, propping it up.

"Isabella?"

"I-It's me," I answered. My bundle tucked under my arm, I grabbed the candle and started my climb up, hoping that the flame wouldn't light the ladder on fire. But I made it to the top and I felt a strong pair of arms pulling me up onto the ledge.

"What are you doing here? It's snowing outside!" Edward said in surprise. He seemed to have been reading by the scant moonlight and the book was lying by his side. On the cover was printed the words, The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

"I-I-I t-thought you m-m-might be c-c-c-cold," I said, my own teeth chattering from the walk to the stables. My arms were wrapped around me and I felt as if they would stay that way for ever. All my muscles were stiff and seemed as immovable as the stable walls.

"Good God, you're freezing!" Edward exclaimed as he pulled me towards him and rubbed my arms. When that didn't work, he simply wrapped his arms around me and held me to him in a tight embrace. The warmth that emanated from him soaked into me, through my night gown, into my skin, and all the way down to my bones, and chased away the cold. My teeth gradually stopped their incessant motion, but my muscles were still locked into place. Edward reached over and grabbed the blankets, wrapping them around both of us and laid me down onto the straw, his arms still wrapped around me and his legs entangled around mine. It wasn't the most dignified position I'd ever been in, but the warmth was addicting and I didn't complain.

"What are you still doing up, Isabella? It's past midnight," Edward said into my ear. I shivered a little at his warm breath, and thinking it was the cold, Edward pulled me tighter to him.

"I couldn't sleep," I finally admitted. Silence reigned for a minute. Then:

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything, Isabella, but I was really only thinking of what could..." he began.

"Shhh..." I said, and put a finger against those divine lips, "Please, Edward. I don't want to hear it right now. Just... just... just let us stay like this for a while, alright?"

Edward nodded and I burrowed my head into the crook of his neck, breathing in his delicious scent. Soon, every part of my body felt deliciously warm and was humming in satisfaction at the cozy environment they'd found against Edward's body. After a while, I felt him sigh.

"Isabella, we're going to have to talk about this sooner or later. But first, I have a question to ask you. Do you want me to leave? Because I can and I will if that is your wish. I know how I feel, but it's unacceptable for me to take advantage of you when I don't know your feelings yet," he said.

A small ironic smile lifted my lips and I remarked, "Yet here we are."

Edward stiffened, and then said, "You're right." And I felt him begin to pull away. Panicked, I grabbed at the front of his shirt.

"No don't!" I cried and his arms returned to cradling to me.

His voice was laced with frustration when he next spoke to me, "Then tell me, Isabella, just what is it that you want? Whatever it is, I'll give it to you."

I thought about it. Edward was a highwayman and in my mind, highwaymen were equal to evil and vice. But was Edward... bad? He'd told me earlier today that he'd never killed anyone, but he'd still stolen, and again, that was from people who didn't deserve their wealth, so he claimed. But how much could I really trust him? My mind whirred. What would Charlie think if he knew I was linked to a highwayman? What would Alice and Rose think? What would Jacob think? And then, as my eyes caught Edward's patient, waiting ones, I knew my answer. I shouldn't trust him, but I just did. And it was then that I found out I really didn't care what anyone else thought. All I knew was that I didn't want Edward to leave. Whether I liked it or not, I loved him, and that was the truth, as plain as the nose on my face.

"I want... you," I finally whispered.

"Me what? Me to leave?" Edward questioned me.

"No... just you," I said.

Edward smiled and said, "I can give you that. Heart, body, and soul." And then, he kissed me again, sending me to my own personal version of Heaven. Suddenly, he gripped me and turned me around, so that I was facing away from him. A little bit hurt, I twisted around to look at him.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Just to make sure I don't do anything we might both regret," he answered me and his eyes were dark with desire.

"Oh..." I said, and then, I asked reluctantly, "Do you want me to leave?"

"No!" Edward burst out, and then, "No. You can stay right here. Just... no more kisses or I swear I'll become insane."

I giggled a little, thrown off by the effect I seemed to have on him, and turned my head back around, nestling onto his arm, which functioned as my pillow, and threaded my fingers through his hand, which were anchoring me against him. I snuffed out the light, not wanting to risk burning the whole stable down if I knocked it over, and together with Edward, looked out into swirling night. Gradually, surrounded by his warmth, sleep began to overcome me and my eyes grew heavier and heavier.

Before I fell asleep, I mumbled a sleepy, "I love you, Edward Cullen," into the night, unsure if he was already asleep or not. There was a silence and then:

"And I thee, Isabella Swan."

I smiled at the words and soon, wrapped in Edward's arms, I was in the land of Slumber.